After leaving the Uchiha Clan compound, Arashi headed straight for the Hokage's office.
Seeing him enter, Minato, Hiruzen, and the two Advisor Elders all stood up and bowed.
"Hmm." Arashi nodded. "Sit down, everyone."
With that, Arashi calmly took the seat that should have belonged solely to the Hokage.
The Hokage and others sat to either side, their postures stiff and formal.
Minato personally brewed a cup of tea for the Daimyo. As the hot tea was poured, its fragrance filled the room.
"Daimyo-sama must be tired from your journey," Minato said, trying to ease the tension.
In his mind, the Daimyo's return this time surely meant that Hiruzen would be held accountable.
After all, the incident involving the execution of three thousand Kumo prisoner ninjas had caused a massive uproar in the Land of Fire.
Even now, the streets of Konoha were still buzzing with discussion.
Arashi nodded, his fingertips lightly tapping the warm teacup.
However, his gaze passed over Minato and landed directly on Hiruzen, who was silently puffing on his pipe.
The moment their eyes met, Minato's heart sank. He was about to speak when Arashi said, "Sandaime."
At the sound of his name, Hiruzen's hand holding the pipe paused slightly.
Looking up, his forehead was lined with wrinkles and his face carried a deep weariness.
It was clear the prisoner camp incident had left him mentally exhausted during this period.
"I've heard about the prisoner camp." Arashi gently placed the teacup back on the table.
Clink.
A soft sound, yet it made everyone in the office flinch slightly.
Hiruzen unconsciously tightened his grip on the pipe.
What was meant to come, had finally arrived.
The time for reckoning had come.
He had mentally prepared for this moment the moment he received the Daimyo's message.
However, the blood debt of three thousand Kumo ninjas weighed heavily. It had deprived him of sleep for days.
"Sandaime, you did very well."
"…Huh?"
Hiruzen's old face froze, and everyone else was visibly stunned.
Arashi smiled. "In a moment of crisis, to have the courage to make a decisive move, suppressing rebellion swiftly and protecting the Land of Fire from a major disaster…"
"This kind of decisiveness is worthy of being called a ninja hero."
"The Land of Fire needs loyal officials like you, who can sacrifice everything for the greater good in critical moments."
His tone was firm and righteous.
Hiruzen's face was filled with disbelief.
Praise?
Did he mishear?
No, he hadn't misheard.
A cold chill surged from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, causing his hands and feet to go cold.
This wasn't praise.
This was a dagger to the heart!
Arashi was using the blade of righteousness to carve the blood debt of those three thousand souls, stroke by stroke, into his ledger of merit!
From now on, only one story would spread throughout the shinobi world.
He, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had cruelly slaughtered three thousand surrendered enemy ninjas.
And Arashi, the benevolent ruler, was just, understanding, and magnanimous!
Hiruzen's lips trembled. He wanted to speak, but didn't dare.
Refute?
He couldn't!
Say that it was the Daimyo's instruction?
Impossible!
That would only add the title of coward and scapegoater to the already damning label of butcher.
He could only accept it.
And he had to accept this praise from the Daimyo!
"…It is… this old man's duty."
Each word was squeezed from the depths of his throat.
Minato's expression turned grim in an instant.
The exchange between Arashi and Hiruzen made him realize there was something deeper behind the massacre.
It only took a little thought to figure it out.
Seeing the Hiruzen so shaken, his heart clenched in pain.
Koharu and Homura exchanged glances, and both saw the same horror in each other's eyes.
They had always thought old age came with cunning.
Initially, they had been puzzled by Hiruzen's drastic shift in attitude and his sudden decision to slaughter the prisoners.
Now, they finally understood the crux of it all.
It was Hiruzen who had been sacrificed!
At that thought, both of them lowered their heads in silence.
"Hmm."
Hiruzen's attitude greatly satisfied Arashi. After a few words of encouragement, he turned to Minato.
"Now that the hidden dangers within the village have been eliminated, let's discuss the main issue."
"The deployment of troops in the southern plains of the Land of Lightning."
Minato immediately composed himself and returned to his role as Hokage.
"Yes, Daimyo-sama." He presented a scroll with both hands. "I've already had Jiraiya-sama draft a detailed plan for deployment and rotation. Please review it."
"There's no need to look at the plan." Arashi didn't take it. "I trust the Fourth Hokage's capabilities."
"However, regarding the appointment of the overall commander for the stationed forces, I already have someone in mind. Please hear me out."
Minato's hand, which was holding out the scroll, froze in midair.
The atmosphere in the room, which had just relaxed slightly, immediately tensed again.
Overall commander?
The appointment of front-line military officers had always been the Hokage's core authority!
The Daimyo had never directly interfered in such personnel decisions before!
This was a clear stripping of the Hokage's military command!
Although Minato had already pledged his loyalty to the Daimyo-sama long ago, certain powers still had to be defended.
He lowered his head and said slowly, "Daimyo-sama, the selection of the overall commander is crucial for the stability of the front lines. It must take into account experience, seniority, and on-the-ground familiarity. I believe…"
"I believe," Arashi interrupted him directly, his voice calm but firm, "Uchiha Fugaku is a very suitable candidate."
"What?!"
This time, Koharu and Homura exclaimed in unison.
Appointing an Uchiha as the overall commander of the stationed forces?
That was completely unprecedented in Konoha's history!
"Daimyo-sama, absolutely not!" Homura stood up abruptly. "The Uchiha Clan has always been in charge of the Police Force. They have no experience leading large-scale military operations!"
"Appointing Fugaku as overall commander would be difficult to justify publicly and could trigger great unrest!"
"That's right, Daimyo-sama, this must be reconsidered!" Koharu quickly agreed.
They weren't worried about Fugaku's lack of ability.
They were scared.
After years of suppressing the Uchiha, if the clan were given real military power, it would be a nightmare for them.
"I understand what you're worried about." Arashi calmly picked up his tea and took a sip.
"Our Land of Fire never mistreats meritorious officials."
"Ugh…" Homura and Koharu were immediately left speechless.
"I'm fully aware of Fugaku's capabilities," Arashi continued. "The garrison's primary task isn't warfare, but stability."
"He's led the Police Force for many years. When it comes to maintaining order, no one in Konoha surpasses him."
After hearing Arashi's words, and receiving his promise, Homura and Koharu quickly changed their stance.
"In that case, Fugaku is indeed well-suited!"
"It was our mistake!"
"Then it's settled." Arashi nodded. "Fugaku will be the overall commander, in charge of maintaining stability in the garrison."
"Jiraiya will serve as deputy commander, responsible for responding to any external conflict."
"That will be all."
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
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